12 Affordable Champagnes So Good, You'll Have Reason to Celebrate
Party like it's your birthday.
Nothing makes clear that you're ready to celebrate like a big bottle of bubbly. But prices on bottles of big-name brands can often bottom out well above the $100-mark, making it nearly impossible to enjoy your favorite fizz. Good news: While more traditional, classic champagnes are produced exclusively in the small Champagne region of eastern France, similar versions are created elsewhere under the same name. By using the same method, brands are able to use the name without having to import grapes all the way from France. Case in point: companies like Korbel and Wycliff produce s0-called ‘California champagnes’ which mimic the traditional processes a little closer to home.
Whether you’re mixing your champagnes into mimosas on for brunch on a Sunday morning with your girlfriends, or enjoying a flute at your office holiday party, there’s no denying that champagne is one of the most versatile sparkling wines out there. Plus, with prices as low as just under $7—and capping out at $25—you are going to to find one within your budget that is perfect for your next occasion, guaranteed. If you’re in need of something to celebrate, get happy over the fact that you can now enjoy champagne whenever you want—even if it's just a weeknight.
This champagne contains notes of pear, apple, almonds and hazelnuts, and has a bright finish. You'll be transported to the south of France in no time.
This wine is produced in the quaint Limoux region of France, so you'll get the French champagne flavor without the high price tag. At just under $10 a bottle, they're the perfect option for your next party.
If you're on the hunt for something simple, look no further than André. It's under $7 and can be found in pretty much every grocery store. You probably drank it in college, and it still does the trick. When you're in a pinch, it serves as a good go-to.
Wycliff is one of the most notable producers of "California Champagne." It's made from a mix of California grapes, and has a crisp, dry finish.
This wine is an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, and has a bright, citrusy finish. The shaper lime flavors are balanced with notes of apple and honeysuckle, giving it a more rounded flavor that tastes far more expensive than its $12 price tag.
This Piper-Heidsieck blend is comprised of Pinot Noir grapes from the Champagne region of France. It has a classic, sharp champagne flavor that works for every holiday party on your list.
These mini bottles are the perfect thing to gift this season. You can buy them in larger packs, but just the individual bottles can make any event feel like a true celebration. Enjoy in a flute (or just out of the bottle with a straw) next time you have your girlfriends over.
This wine is produced from grapes grown in Mendocino County, California. Despite being grown in the United States, the wine follows the same process as more traditional French versions.
Grapes are procured from the Loire Valley region in France in France to create this light, bright champagne. Bubbly and crisp, it gives off toasty, apple flavors that are perfect for the fall and winter seasons.
Similar to Andre, Cook's Brut Champagne is sold almost everywhere. It's has a medium-dry flavor that's perfect for mixing into mimosas or Bellinis for Sunday morning brunch.
This wine is made from "Blancs de Noirs"-style grapes, which means that white juice is produced from 70 percent black grapes. It has a deeper flavor that tastes more like wine, but with champagne's signature bubble.
If you prefer a drier champagne, consider trying this one from Korbel. It's created from a blend of different grape varieties and vintages to ensure that every bottle is exactly the same.
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Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.
In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.
Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.
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